Balloon.



Patented Dec. 8, 1914,

3 SHEETS-SEEBT 1.

L. D. BROOKS.

BALLOON.

APPLICATION FILED 11116.15. 19m.

L. D. BROOKS.

BALLOON.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.15,1914.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

By y/M A TTOH/VE YS 'HE NORR/S PErERS Co.PHa1U-LITHO. WASHINUYON. n L

L. D. BROOKS.

BALLOON.

APPLIGATIQN FILED AUG.15,1914y 1 1 20,439. Patented Dec. s, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W//VESSES MQW Mm (7l By TTRNEYS 7HE MORRIS PETERS co pHoro-Lehm WASHING K1N` D C LEON ID. BROOKS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

BALLOON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application :filed August 15, 1914. Serial No. 856,965.

T0 all whom z'z may concern Be it known that I, LEON D. BRooxs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Balloons, of which the following is a specification. A

My invention is an improvement in balloons, and has for its object to provide a device of the character specied, wherein a vehicle is provided having connected thereto a balloon or other envelop for containing gas, having a lifting capacity slightly less than the aggregate weight of the vehicle when loaded, and wherein means is provided designed to be operated by the occupant for lifting the vehicle, and wherein other mechanism is provided for permitting the vehicle to move over the ground.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a side view of the improved device, Fig. 2 is an end view withv parts in section, Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3--3 of Fig.` 1, Fig. 4 is a partial horizontal section, Fig. 5

Vis a top plan view of one of the oars, and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a substantially cigar shaped receptacle 1, designed to contain gas lighter than air, as for instance, hydrogen gas, and within the said receptacle at approximately the center thereof is arranged an inner bag 2. The bag or receptacle 1 is designed to be provided with just suicient gas to counterbalance the effect of gravity upon the machine and its occupant.

Preferably the lifting capacity of the gas in the envelop or receptacle 1 is slightly less than the weight of the machine and the occupant, for instance, should the weight of the machine be 150 pounds the lifting capacity of the gas will be 145, leaving a difference of 5 pounds to be lifted by the occupant. The bag 2 is designed to counteract the contraction and expansion of the bag 1 due to the contraction and expansion of its gaseous contents.

Below the cigar-shapedy receptacle 1 is arranged the frame. This frame comprises a longitudinally extending bar 3 of light material, as for instance, bamboo, and the said bar is connected to the envelop or receptacle 1 by means of belts or bands 4. These belts or bands encircle the bag 1 in the usual manner, and are connected to theA bar 3, by means of bars or links 5.

The bar 3 forms a part of the framework which is completed by a pair of bars 6, arranged below and at opposite sides of the bar 3, and parallel with each other and ywith the bar 3. The bars 6 are connected to the bar 3 by means of triangular supports7, each of which has its apex connected to the bar 3 and its ends to the bar 6. As many of the supports 7 are provided as may be necessary, and preferably they correspond in number and spacing to the number and spacing of the bands 4.

A seat S and a foot rest 9 are supported below the frame by means of cords or wires 10, ,the said cords or wires extending from the connection of the adjacent supports 7 to the bars 6, and a pair of oars or wings 11 is provided for the use of the operator seated in seat 8. The oars 11 are of light weight, being formed of frames of suitable material covered with canvas or the like, and each oar is normally held in an oar lock 12 on the frame.

Bicycle wheels 13 are arranged below the frame for supporting the same on the ground, and the wheels may be arranged as shown or in any other desired manner. It will be noticed that there are two rear wheels and two front wheels, and the front wheels are journaled on spindles on the end of an axle 14, which is pivoted to the frame in such manner that it may be turned to guide the frame when on the ground.

The wheels are pneumatic tired and cushioning mechanism shown at 30 is arranged between the wheels and the frame. Avalve 16 is provided for permitting the escape of a portion of the contents of the envelop 1 when desired, and by means of a cord 17, the valve is under the control of the operator. y

It will be understood that the improved device is built of any desired size, and the capacity will vary according to the weight of the operator.

In operation the receptacle 1 is provided with just suiiicient gas so that when the operator is in his seat, the mechanism will stay on the ground. By means of the oars 11 the operator may Vmove the machine forwardly and by means of the front wheels he may guide the machine wherever desired.

The front axle 14 is pivoted to a bolster Patented Dec. S, 1914.

ing shaft 27 is j ournaled at the foot rest v9,

and a steering wheel 28 is secured to the upper end of the shaft. Links 29 connect Athewheel with the ends of the front axle in the usual manner, and it will be evident that by turning the Wheel in the proper direction the axle may be turned to guidD the-vehicle.

The cushioning mechanism referred to is arranged between'eac'haxle and theframe. Each of the said mechanisms comprises a pair`of cylinders 30, thecylinders at the front axle being secured to the ends yof the bolster 24, while the cylinders at the rear axle are' securedto a bolster 31. The bars 6 of them'ain frame are provided with depending plunger rods 32, and the said rods have plungers 33, which arereceived in the cylinders.

A coil spring 34 is arrangedbetween each plunger and the bottom of the cylinder, Aand each plunger rod passes through a stufling box indicated at 35 in the upper head 36 of the adjacent cylinder. Each of the heads 36 is secured tothe cylinder by means of I bolts and nuts 37. It will be evident that when the wheels 14 engage the ground, the pneumatic tires will cushion the shock to a considerable extent and whatever shock there maybe will'be absorbed by the'spring 34 and by the air in the cylinders.

Each bolster 24 and 31 is braced against the vframe by means of inclined braces 37. Each of the saidbr'aces is connected to the adjacent end ofthe bolster at one'end and to a sleeve`38 secured on the adjacent member 6 of they frame at the other end. j The bands 4 above mentioned, are passedfthrough loops 39 on the upper ends of the'bars orcylinders l5. The bars or links 5 yare connected to the bars 3 by means of sleeves 40, which encircle the bars 3, and each sleeveis'provided with a lpair of spaced perforated lugs y4l. These lugs lap on opposite faces of the bars or links and bolts and nuts 42 are passed through the openings and through registering openings inthe bars or links to connect' the ylugs to the bars or links. j

By the use of the oars he may overcome the effect of gravity, causing the machine to lift into vthe air. The device is not intended for high flying, `as a rule, about the height of ordinary buildings, and the'intention is to provide a vehicle suitable for a single oc- 'cupant by means of which he may sail varound at about the level of the house tops wherever desired. y

` When' the Loperator desires to rise from the ground it is merely necessary topress Copies of'this patent may be'obtainedV forvekcents each, hyad'dressing'the Commissioner of Patents, l

lbars arranged `below 'the rst-named bar,

the membersof the pair being at opposite sides of the rst-named bar, a rigid connection between the three bars, braces arranged diagonally of the frame,-.a seat and a foot rest suspended below the frame, and a pair of oars, each oar consisting of a light frame and a covering oflfabric material, the frame having oar locks for the oars, wheels for supportingv the frame and cushionedagainst the frame, the front wheels being movable yto guide the frame.

2. A device of the character specified, comprising a bag or receptacle for gas of oblong shape and provided with a regulating valve, a framework suspended from, the receptacle,` said framework comprising an upper bar, suspension'bands connected with the bar and encircling the bag, a paircof bars arranged below the rst-named bar, the members of the pair being at opposite sides of the first-named bar, a rigid connection between the three bars, braces arranged diagonally of the frame, a seat and a foot rest suspended below the frame, and a pair When the occupant of oars, each oar consisting of-a light frame and a `covering of fabric material, the frame having an oar lock for each oar.

3. A device of the character "specified, comprising an'oblong bag for containing gas, a framework suspended below the bag, a seat and a foot rest suspendedbelow the framework, oars consisting lof light frames covered with canvas, the frame having oar locks for receiving the oars, anda second bag .arranged within'the lfirst bag for coun` terbalancing expansion and' contraction.

4. A device of theI character specified, comprising an oblong bag for containing gas, a framework suspended below the bag,-r ya seat 'and a foot rest suspendedfbelowthe framework, oars consisting of light frames 'covered with canvas, the 'frame having'oar locks for receiving the oars.' f

` LEON D. BROOKS. VVitness'es:

E. S. FYFE, THOMAS TIPPETT. 

